Being abused is one of the most traumatic things that can happen to a child. Telling someone about the abuse, especially when it has been committed by a family member or someone the child trusts, can also be a frightening, difficult experience. Children need different support and services than adults. Safe Horizon has programs that are specifically designed to meet the needs of children and of adult survivors. If you suspect that a child you know is a victim of child abuse, call the New York State Child Abuse Hotline to report the abuse at 1 (800) 342-3720. If you know that a child is a victim or a child tells you about abuse he or she has experienced, you may also call 911. Depending on the situation and your location, you will be directed to bring the child to the police station, the hospital, or another location, including one of Safe Horizon’s Child Advocacy Centers. What is Child Abuse? Child abuse, or child maltreatment, is an act by a parent or caretaker that results in or allows the child to be subjected to death, physical injury, sexual assault, or emotional harm. Emotional abuse, neglect, physical abuse, and sexual abuse are all different forms of child abuse. What are Child Sexual Abuse and Incest? Child sexual abuse is any sexual act performed with a child by an adult or older child, with or without force or the threat of force. Child sexual abuse is most commonly committed by someone known to the child, including family members. In this case, the act may be considered incest. Incest is overt and/or covert sexual contact or acts between people who are related genetically, by marriage, by living arrangements, or in whom a child perceives a trusting relationship, for example parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, step-parents, foster parents. Incest is one of the most common forms of child sexual abuse. It may start as seemingly innocent touching and progress to more serious acts. It can continue for years. Other individuals who may commit child sexual abuse include neighbors, family friends, baby sitters, religious leaders, youth group leaders, or others with a power advantage of any kind over the child. Child sexual abuse may also be committed by a stranger. The acts can include: touching or non-touching, verbal seduction or abuse, anal or vaginal intercourse, oral sex, sodomy, manual stimulation, direct threats, implied threats, or other forms of abuse. How Does Safe Horizon Help Abused Children? Child Advocacy Centers Safe Horizon’s Child Advocacy Centers (CACs) are child-friendly, safe spaces with colorful murals and toys that help children feel at ease. At the CACs, child protective caseworkers, police detectives, pediatricians, prosecutors, victim advocates, and mental health professionals work as a team to collect evidence, minimize the number of times the child is interviewed, and ensure that the child receives appropriate medical examinations and mental health support. Safe Horizon’s collaboration with the New York Police Department, the Administration for Children’s Services, the local District Attorney, and local medical providers, ensures that a coordinated investigation begins immediately and makes every effort to ensure that there is no further abuse. To contact Safe Horizon's Child Advocacy Centers, go to Where are the Child Advocacy Centers? Take a tour of a Child Advocacy Center http://www.nyscarcc.org/newbcac.htm How Does Safe Horizon Help Family Members and Caretakers of Abused Children? Discovering that your child, a child in your care, or a sibling has been abused is a horrifying experience. You may feel guilt, anger, grief, and many other emotions. The child needs your support and strength to recover from his or her experience. Safe Horizon provides support to family members and caretakers so that you can begin to recover too. We offer individual and group counseling at the Child Advocacy Centers. How Does Safe Horizon Help Adult Survivors of Abuse and Incest? Carrying the secret of childhood sexual abuse is an enormous burden and can impact every part of your life, from relationships to work to your self-esteem. Safe Horizon can help you begin to heal from your experience by working with you individually and in groups where you will have the opportunity to share your experience with others.